GARETH Barry had mixed emotions after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal took the gloss off his record-breaking night at the Emirates Stadium.
The Albion midfielder celebrated the honour of breaking the Premier League's all-time appearances record in what was his 633rd top-flight outing, overtaking Ryan Giggs.
Barry, 36, was handed the captain's armband in recognition of his incredible achievement which has spanned 19 years in the top flight.
Yet the Baggies were left to feel hard done by against the Gunners as they departed north London empty handed.
Speaking post-match, Barry said: "It's obviously nice to reach the milestone, it would have been nice to get a positive result but it's not to be and we'll move on.
"I'll look back on this day as a memorable one.
"There's another game on Saturday. We've got Watford at home and it's really important before the international break to get three points and into a good position in the league."
On being named skipper for the night, Barry added: "It was a nice touch from Jonny Evans, he gave me the armband before the game to lead the team out.
"It was a nice moment."
Albion saw loud penalty appeals waved away early on after Shkodran Mustafi appeared to clip Jay Rodriguez, who subsequently picked himself and struck a post before later seeing a goalbound header hooked off the line.
It was Alexandre Lacazette who did the damage for the Gunners, nodding home from close range midway through the first period, before slotting home a second-half spot-kick.
Barry added: "It's disappointing to take a defeat like that as we created a lot of chances in the first half, we could possibly have scored two or three goals and maybe had a penalty.
"It was disappointing to go in at half-time behind and then a penalty went against us.
"We worked all week with two up front to try and surprise them and I think first half it was clear, we got in behind them a couple of times and created a couple of good chances.
"Second half we didn't have as much ball, didn't have as much threat but we were in the game until late."